In 1856, J. Joseph Fox walked all the way to St. Paul to ask Bishop Crétin for a priest to come to Hastings to baptize children, hear confessions, and celebrate Mass. At that time, people had to walk or ride horses to New Trier for Mass. St. Joseph was founded in the spring of 1873 as a mission of St. Boniface in Hastings. The original church, built in 1873, was torn down in 1908. The present church was erected in 1907 but was struck by lightning on August 27, 1913. All that remained from the resulting fire were the brick walls. The church was rebuilt and dedicated October 25, 1914. Today, the parish campus consists of the historic church and the adjoining gathering space which was dedicated December 22, 2002.
